Garrison Keillor's New Venture, And A Short History Of The Kansas City Mafia

Public radio lovers are very familiar with Garrison Keillor, the creator of 'A Prairie Home Companion.' Keillor hosted the variety show for more than 35 years.

Credit Trishhhh / Flickr - CC

After handing off the reins of A Prairie Home Companion, Garrison Keillor is back on the road. Today, we speak with the legendary radio personality about the Love & Comedy Tour that's taking him across the country and through the Paris of the Plains. Then, we learn the history of how mafiosos survived in Kansas City after the death of political mob boss Tom Pendergast.

Garrison Keillor's "Love and Comedy Tour" makes a stop at the Uptown Theater at 8 p.m. on Tuesday, August 29. For more information, visit UptownTheater.com.

Terrance O'Malley presents "How the KC Mafia Survived the Fall of the Pendergast Machine" at the Midwest Genealogy Center at 7 p.m. on Thursday, August 24. Registration is full but you can put your name on the waiting list at MyMCPL.org.

The definition of an American family is no longer a man and his wife, living in suburbia with their 2.3 kids. Today, we learn about some of the economic forces reshaping families. Then, we explore the history of sandlot baseball in Kansas City, and find out how communities are trying to revive the tradition. Later, we discuss the controversy over Democratic Missouri Sen.

First, we find out what a group of Kansas City musicians are doing to bring the music of Ella Fitzgerald back to life. Then, we meet the playwright, actress, and University of Kansas professor who turned her cancer diagnosis into a one-woman comedic play.